We may never know what happened. What I do know is that whatever happened is now hidden under a massive, irresponsible PR campaign driven by, among others, Al Sharpton and, sadly, his employer MSNBC.
Doesn’t anyone at MSNBC remember how Sharpton came to prominence?
Sharpton, Maddox, and Mason generated a national media sensation. The three claimed officials all the way up to the state government were trying to cover up defendants in the case because they were white. Specifically, they named Steven Pagones, an Assistant District Attorney in Dutchess County, as one of the rapists, and a racist, among other accusations.
Trayvon Martin’s death, however it happened, was the result of panic and fear. Sadly, that is what MSNBC and Al Sharpton are still promoting.
The facts seem to be something like this … Trayvon was doing nothing worse than dressing like a hood. being black, and walking home while he was seen by an armed vigilante. Trayvon cannot be convicted of murder because he is now dead and because dressing like a hood and walking home while Black are not crimes.
George Zimmerman can not be convicted either .. whatever the events. The guy was doing what is legal in Florida, even what is encouraged by the radical right. He was carrying a gun in his capacity as a vigilante.
Convict Florida? Sure, but not Mr. Zimmerman. So someone swung first. Was Trayvon frightened of the vigilante? Did the young man make the mistake of insisting on his right to walk home with a bag of candy? Did Zimmerman draw his gun or threaten to do so? None of this makes a difference, Mr. Zimmerman and Trayvon are both victims of the hate and fear promoted by others.
I blame Sharpton for continuing to promote that hate and fear as much as I do the radical Republicans for their promotion of gunnery. Any incompetence in how the Sanford police investigated this may now be hidden uder the massive hyperbole caused by Sharpton. acting in the name of MSNBC.
Disgusting.